JANUARY 2025 | VOLUME 17, NUMBER 1 | KOFC.ORG/CHAPLAINS

By Fr. Jonathan D. Kalisch, O.P.

Director of Chaplains and Spiritual Development

Many families struggle to reconcile the ideal of the Holy Family with the reality of their own lives, especially during the often-hectic pace and busyness of the Advent and Christmas seasons. As a new year begins, Catholic families might ask themselves: Was time spent in quiet contemplation of the mystery of the Incarnation, or on activity that — without intentional focus — took away from the very meaning of this season?

In Complete My Joy — a 2018 apostolic exhortation to husbands and wives, mothers and fathers — Bishop Emeritus Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix notes: “St. John Paul II did not say ‘Family, do what you are’ or ‘Family, strive to make yourselves a family.’ Rather, he said ‘Family, become what you are’: Family, allow your nature as communion of love to grow, develop, mature and overflow into the world with a generosity of life and joy” (49). 

With these words in mind, we should all keep the families in our parishes and their spiritual well-being at the heart of our resolutions for the new year. To help you in this, I recommend you look to this prayer composed by Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori, through which family members can come together to consecrate themselves under the protection of the Holy Family. In this prayer of consecration, families entrust themselves to the Lord, Jesus Christ, the perfect son; to Mary, the perfect mother; and to Joseph, who is a model for every father. 

And remember: Preparing for consecration to the Holy Family is not a single event. It is choosing a way of life for families. Through this consecration, each participant is consciously choosing to be a beacon of God’s love through his Church.

May we encourage and support one another, our members and our families in holiness in 2025 and always! Wishing you all a blessed and happy New Year.

This month, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori challenges Knights to work toward greater recognition of the sanctity of unborn human life by participating in a peaceful pro-life demonstration or supporting a pregnancy resource center.

José Serna, a member of Santa Rosa de Lima Council 17267 in Zapopan, Mexico, and his wife, Elizabeth, experienced immense grief as they processed the loss of four children through miscarriages. But after praying for healing and a healthy baby through the intercession of Blessed Michael McGivney, they welcomed their son José Miguel — nicknamed “Little McGivney” — in 2021. “I kept asking Father Michael to help me, to please be here, to help my son have a healthy birth,” explained Elizabeth. José added: “I am very grateful to God and to Father Michael McGivney, because he allowed us, after this process of four unsuccessful pregnancies, for José Miguel to be born.”

Read more about the Serna family and the miracle they experienced through the intercession of Blessed Michael McGivney here and watch a short video here.

Third Anniversary of the War in Ukraine

As the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine draws near on Feb. 24, we invite you to explore ways to support those suffering from the war. The Knights of Columbus has stood in solidarity with Ukraine since the conflict began in February 2022, offering critical aid to the most vulnerable. This led the Order, alongside other humanitarian groups, to be banned from territories occupied by Russian authorities.

One of the Order’s partners in Ukraine is the STEP-IN Foundation, which aims to make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need by delivering comprehensive health care, including essential medical services and mental health support, to communities impacted by conflict and adversity. After implementing trainings for doctors and mobile clinics in eastern Ukraine, the Knights and STEP-IN have partnered to launch a new specialized training program for priests, aimed at assisting them with the unique psychological needs of wartime pastoral care. 

“Ukrainian society is deeply wounded — psychologically, physically, and by the loss of loved ones,” explained Ukraine State Chaplain Mykhailo Bubniy. “These wounds also affect the clergy, who need support and solace in an environment where they can be filled with knowledge and recover psychologically.”

You can read the whole article here.

Last year, the Knights of Columbus led a Novena for Peace in Ukraine, which united Knights Orderwide in prayer. This year, we encourage you to organize prayer gatherings starting Saturday, Feb. 15, to conclude on the eve of the anniversary. This year’s anniversary coincides with the Jubilee 2025, a year of hope — and with this Christian hope, we are now working toward rebuilding Ukraine materially, psychologically and spiritually. Stay informed and support the Order’s work in Ukraine by visiting kofc.org/Ukraine.

Jan. 12 — Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Councils can support and encourage the families of their parishes through the Sacramental Gifts Program by providing small but meaningful gifts to families or individuals as they receive the sacraments. Councils also could celebrate all baptisms of the past year during the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on Sunday, Jan. 12, with an event bringing families together. Encourage your council to consider adding this program to its plans for the upcoming year as a reminder to parish families that Knights are there for them at every step of their pilgrimage of faith.

Jan. 23-24 — Life Fest

The Sisters of Life, the Knights of Columbus and the Diocese of Arlington invite you to Life Fest Jan. 23-24 at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. Get your tickets here or watch the event live on the Sisters of Life YouTube channel. We also encourage you to participate in the National Prayer Vigil for Life Jan. 23-24.

Over 300 pilgrim icons of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, reproducing the revered 1767 painting by Pompeo Batoni, have arrived in jurisdictions across the Order. The icons bear the blessing of Pope Francis and will be used by councils as part of the Pilgrim Icon Program’s new Sacred Heart Holy Hour prayer service. Your council can contact your state pilgrim icon chairman to arrange for a blessed icon to come to your parish. As part of the program, families are also encouraged to enthrone the Sacred Heart in their homes. Resources for the Sacred Heart Holy Hour and the enthronement ceremony are available at kofc.org/sacredheart. 

On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, the Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. Just as the candles of the feast represent the light that Christ brings to world, the day is also a reminder of how consecrated men and women are called to reflect the light of Christ to all people.

As the strong right arm of the Church, the Knights of Columbus is committed to supporting future priests and religious in formation — financially and spiritually. Through the Order’s Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP), over $100 million has been given in support of more than 125,000 men and women pursuing priestly or religious vocations. For many men and women discerning religious life, support from Knights through RSVP has provided a lifeline of prayer, moral support and financial aid that helps sustain them during — and after — their formation. Join the many councils in the United States and Canada who are impacting the lives of thousands of seminarians and postulants — and through them the life of the Church.

Learn how to support the program here and read this article that shares the stories of several candidates who benefited from the program. You can learn more about the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life and to find resources to celebrate here.

With the college football bowl season drawing to a close and the National Football League playoffs just around the corner, enjoy these stories and videos about Knights who live their faith on and off the field.

• College Knights from the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy organized a public display of spiritual strength during the 125th annual Army-Navy football game on Dec. 14, rallying 150 people to pray a rosary during halftime.
• Meet Joe Reali, a young man whose love for family, friends and football was exceeded only by his love for Christ and his Church. Before his sudden death at age 25, his witness of faith brought many people closer to God, a legacy that lives on through Joseph Mario Reali Council 16261 in Westbury, New York. The K of C documentary A Warrior for Christ, released this year, tells his inspiring story. Learn more at kofc.org/reali.
• Three NFL chaplains — all members of the Knights of Columbus — shared what it’s like to minister to professional football teams with Columbia in January 2022. Read more here.
• Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, three-time Super Bowl Champion and member of the Knights of Columbus, spoke to college Knights at their annual conference in 2020, telling them “the world needs Knights.”

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